My very first Arduino

Firstly I don't really get all the hype but they are a cute little board. I guess I've used micros for so long now that a new board doesn't really turn my crank just by it's name. It's a serviceable little bit of kit, but it's nothing super fantastic amazing as some people make out. It's really the momentum of all the people who use it that really makes the difference.

I've purchased a freetronics.com TwentyTen and I must say it's a very well built board and works a treat.

It's 100% Arduino compatible and has a few common wrinkles ironed out. I got my SPI 7 segment display, my SPI 16x2 LCD and a few temperature and humidity sensor all working in about 20 minutes.

I also bought a freetronics.com Ethernet Shield.

But I'm having a bit of an issue with it. While it works flawlessly once I get the Arduino programmed. I cannot actually program the Arduino with it connected. Which makes development somewhat problematic (unplug USB, remove shield, plug in USB, upload, unplug USB, attach shield, plug in USB, test code, rinse repeat).

Anyway, I'm working on a thermal controller project for an enclosure that will house a few big Barco projectors. I completed a similar project 12 months ago but used a pair of Barix PLC, and I was wanting something a little more custom.

I'll post some photos of the other project shortly.

EDIT: I'm talking to the very nice Jon at freetronics.com about the shield. Seems mine is a special case and what I'm experiencing isn't the norm. So here's to a speed fix and great end-user support from freetronics!